Separable belt connector



M. CASTRO 2,238,789

SEPARABLE BELT CONNECTOR April 15, 1941.

Filed May 12, 19-39 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE f SEPARABLE BELT CONNECTOR Manuel Castro, Canton, Ohio Application May 12, 1939, Serial No. 273,285

9 Claims.

The invention relates generally to separable connectors for belts of any desired flexible material, and for any desired use, and more particularly to separable connectors for mens trouser belts.

A usual belt buckle includes a rectangular frame and a tongue pivoted on one end bar of the frame, and the tongue pivoting end bar being connected with one belt end. Another belt end, which in the case of a mans trouser belt is the other end of the same belt connected to the buckle frame, has formed therein a series of longitudinally spaced holes and is adapted for being inserted through the frame and receiving the tongue in one of the holes, and there is usually provided a loop on the belt through which the punched endis inserted after being engaged with the hook.

In such a usual mans trouser belt, after the belt is buckled, the punched end of the belt extending beyond the buckle forms a double belt layer at one side of the buckle, and tends to flap loose from the trouser loops through which the belt extends, and presents an unsymmetrical and unattractive appearance.

Various forms of frictional buckles for releasably engaging the ends of belts have been proposed, but in the use of such buckles there is likewise always present the loose belt ends beyond and buckles.

Various forms of relatively complicated separable belt connectors or fasteners have been pro posed including separable interengaging members to each of which is secured a belt end, and by the use of which loose belt ends are avoided.

Such relatively complicated separable connectors heretofore available have been relatively difficult and costly to manufacture, have been excessively thick preventing satisfactory use in trouser belts, have not been adapted for inexpensive ornamentation, and have been relatively difiicult and awkward to use.

The objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved separable belt connector of simplified construction, and adapted for economical manufacture.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of such a separable belt connector which may be made relatively thin for convenient use in a trouser belt.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved belt connector construction particularly adapted for attaining a wide variety of ornamentation at a relatively low.

cost.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved separable belt connector adapted for convenient and easy use.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the separable belt connectors, constructions, parts, combinations and sub-combinations, comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, and preferred embodiments of which are set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved separable belt connector of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including two separable members, one of which is. a channel plate having a web and opposite side flanges, and the opposite channel side flanges have formed therein (oppositely opening grooves, slots, or apertures, any of which may be termed a recess.

One end of the channel web is connected with one end of a belt, and in the case of a trouser belt, the other end of the belt is connected with the other separable member of the connector, and which includes a metal shank about which the end of the belt is wrapped.

The shank is provided at its opposite ends with hook heads or trunnions which abut against opposite sides of the belt, the heads or trunnions being adapted to be inserted in the grooves, slots, or apertures in the channel flanges by longitudinally angling the end of the belt having the hook heads or trunnions on it with respect to the channel web and then by twisting the hook headed shank and inserting the same between the channel flanges, and then by twisting the shank to insert the hook heads or trunnions into the opposite channel flange grooves, slots, or apertures. Reverse motions are used for unfastening the improved connector.

The present invention furthermore includes improved general and detail constructions, arrangements, and parts, as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

By way of example, a number of embodiments of the improved belt connector hereof and the parts thereof, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodi ment of the improved belt connector hereof, shown in use on fragmentary belt ends, which may be the ends of a trouser belt;

Fig. 2, rear isometric views of the disassembled preferably metallic channel plate and interengageable shanks of the connector of Fig. 1, without any belt ends being wrapped around the shanks;

Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view of the channel plate thereof, as on line 3--3, Fig. 4, the shanks being removed;

Fig. 4, a longitudinal sectional View of the connector of Fig. 1 as on line 44, Fig. 3, showing at the left the one shank and associated belt end in place, and showing at the right the other separated shank in angled position ready for twisting so that its hook heads or trunnion ends may be engaged with the opposite channel flange grooves;

Fig. 5, a View similar to Fig. 4 after the trunnioned shank has been connected with the channel plate, as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6, a horizontal sectional view thereof as on line 66, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7, a front elevation view of the channel plate only of a second embodiment of the improved belt connector, which may be metal or a plastic of one color such as yellow, and which is provided with an underlying insert which may be metal or a plastic of another color such as white;

Fig. 8, a side elevation thereof looking in the overlying gripping channel which may be of metal or a plastic of another color such as yellow.

Fig. 10, a side elevation thereof looking in the direction of the arrows Ill-10, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11, isometric views similar to Fig. 2 of'the parts of a fourth embodiment of the improved belt connector hereof.

Similar numerals refer throughout the drawing.

The first embodiment of the improved belt connector hereof illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive is indicated generally by 12 and includes a plurality of separable releasably interengageable members I3, I, and 15. The connector member I3 is an improved channel plate having a web 16 and opposite side flanges I1 and 18 extending angularly from the opposite edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges 11 and I8 having formed therein respectively oppositely opening grooves or slots 19 and 20, the ends of which constitute end stops 2|.

At one end of the channel plate l3 the flanges l1 and I8 are preferably connected by a clamp bar 22 which forms a rectangular collar with the flanges 11 and I8 and the web I6.

Theseparable member M as shown is an insert member of improved form and includes a flat shank 23 having enlarged hook heads or trunnions 24 and 25 on its opposite ends at one border. The other border of the fiat shank 23 between the trunnions 24 and 25 is scalloped to form a central thumb and finger receiving notch 26.

The separable member l5 as shown is in the form of a square shank. The separable member I5 in use is normally permanently associated with the channel plate l3 and with one end 21 of a belt, such as a trouser belt, by angling the shank connector member 15 and inserting the same with its ends extending into the oppositely opening grooves l9 and 20, and by folding the exto similar parts tremity 28 of the belt end 21 about the shank I5, after having inserted the extremity 28 between the channel web- 16 and the shank l5, and then inserting the folded extremity 28 backwardly upon the belt end 21 and between the shank I5 and the clamp bar 22, and then by pulling the folded or doubled belt end 21 and the shank I5 about which it is wrapped so that the ends of the shank l5 engage with the stop ends of the grooves 19 and 20 beneath the clamp bar 22 and so that the folded belt about the shank is wedged between the clamp bar 22 and the channel web I6 in the rectangular collar formed thereby with the flanges l1 and I8.

This arrangement of thechannel plate l3 with its grooves 19 and 20 and clamp bar 22, and the shank l5 wrapped about by the belt end 21, provides an improved adjustable connection for the belt end 21 which is ordinarily not fastenedin use, and which does not necessarily require that be sewed to the belt end 21.

It is furthermore to be noted that the folded over belt extremity 28 is located at the rear of the belt end 21 when the improved connector I2 is used on a trouser belt.

The improved connector insert member I4 is associated in use with a belt end 29 which may be the other end of the trouser belt having the belt end 21.

The belt end 29 is wrapped around the shank 23 of the connector member H! with the doubled extremity 30 of the belt end 29 at the same side as the extremity 28, as best shown in Fig. 6.

The doubled extremities 28 and 30 of the belt ends 21 and 29 respectively may be if desired glued, sewed or otherwise secured to the belt ends, but it is not necessary to secure the belt extremities since the improved connector when used on a trouser belt, maintains the wrapped around belt extremities 28 and 30 in any position of adjustments to which they are pulled.

In engaging the separated member 14 and its wrapped around belt end with the channel plate l3, the thumb and finger of the user grasps opposite sides of the wrapped around belt end 29 immediately adjacent the thumb notch 26. The connector member [4 and wrapped around belt end 29 are then angled to the position shown in Fig. 4, permitting insertion of the shank 23 and its hook heads or trunnions 24 and 25 between the channel flanges l1 and I8, after which the shank 23 may be twisted to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 5 in which the spacing of the hook heads or trunnions 24 and 25 is such to abut against the end stops 21 in the opposite grooves or slots l9 and 20.

Reverse motions are used in disengaging the separable trunnioned connector member 14 from the grooved channel connector member [3.

The hook heads or trunnions 24 and 25 are thicker than the shank 23 and protrude over the faces of the flat shank at one border and engage the sides of the wrapped around belt end 29.

The parts or members l3, l4, and I5 ofthe improved connector 12 are thus of relatively simple construction, and provide an efficient and satisfactory adjustable and separable belt connector.

The second embodiment of the improved connector hereof indicated generally by H2 in Figs. 7 and 8 is generally similar to the connector 12 but the channel plate H3 of the connector ll 2 may be formed of metal or a plastic of one color and have an ornamentally shaped web H6 with an underlying ornamental insert plate l3-l of metal or a plastic of another color.

The underlying insert plate [3| as best shown in Fig. 8 may be removably secured in auxiliary grooves I32 and I33 on the opposite inner faces of the channel flanges H1 and H8.

The third embodiment of the improved connector hereof illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is indicated generally by 2 l2 and is generally similar to the connector H2, but in the connector N2 the channel plate 2l3 may be made of metal or a plastic of one color and is provided with an overlying ornamental gripping channel 234 which may be of metalor a plastic of another color, and may be ornamentally shaped.

The fourth embodimentof the improved connector hereof illustrated in Fig. 11 is indicated generally by 312 and is generally similar to the connector l2, but in the connector 3|2 the channel plate 313 has opposite flat side flanges 3H and 3 l 8, and in the side flange 3 I I there is formed a circular aperture or slot 335 and in the flange 3| 8 there is formed an elongated slot or aperture 336 for receiving the trunnions 324 and 325 of the connector member 3, which has a plate shank 323 similar to the plate shank 23, but the trunnions 324 and 325 are laterally offset from the belt shank 323 to accommodate a folded belt end and permit the channel plate 313 to be relatively thin.

In the connector (2 the shank 315 is not removable, but has its ends permanently secured in suitable apertures formed in the flanges 3|! and 318.

The apertures 335 and 336 of the channel plate 3l3 function in the same manner as the grooves l9 and 20 of the channel plate I3.

The embodiments of the present improvements illustrated and described herein are by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the same or to the particular details thereof, but is commensurate with any and all novel subject matter contained herein which may at any time properly under the patent laws be set forth in the claims hereof or originating herein, and the elements of any such claims are intended to include their functional or structural equivalents.

I claim:

1. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, two separable interengageable members, one of the members including a channel plate having a web and opposite side flanges, and there being oppositely opening recesses formed in the side flanges, the recesses having stop ends, and the other member including a shank having opposite ends adapted for being angled into the recesses in abutment engagement with opposite stop ends thereof, and the channel plate member furthermore including at one end thereof a clamp bar extending between the opposite side flanges and laterally spaced from the web and forming therewith a rectangular collar, and a second shank located between the clamp bar and the web and having its ends in engagement with the channel flanges.

2. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, two separable interengageable members, one of the members including a channel plate having a web and opposite side flanges, and there being oppositely opening recesses formed in the side flanges, the recesses having stop ends, and the other member including a shank having opposite ends adapted for being angled into the recesses in abutment engagement with opposite stop ends thereof, and the channel plate member furthermore including at one end thereof a clamp bar extending between the opposite side flanges and laterally spaced from the web and forming therewith a rectangular collar, and a second shank located between the clamp bar and the web and having its-ends in engagement with the channel flanges, each of the shanks having a belt end wrapped around it, the wrapped belt endon the second shank being clamped in the rectangular collar between the clamp bar and the web.

3. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, two separable interengageable members, one of the members including a channel plate having a web. and oppositeside flanges, and a clamp bar extending between the side flanges and being laterally spaced from the web and forming therewith a rectangular collar, and a shank located between the clamp bar and the web and having its ends engaged by the flanges, and a belt end. wrapped around the shank and clamped in the: rectangular collar between the clamp bar and the web.

4. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, a channel member and an insert member separably interengageable with each other, the channel member including a web and opposite side flanges extending angularly from the opposite edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges having formed therein opposite elongated slots which open towards each other, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders with opposite trunnion ends at one =border thereof, the trunnion ends being spaced for being angled into and out of engagement with the slots.

5. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, a channel member and an insert member separably interengageable with each other, the channel member including a web and opposite side flanges extending angularly from the opposi-te edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges having formed therein opposite elongated slots which open towards each other, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders with opposite enlarged trunnion ends which are thicker than and which protrude over the faces of the flat shank at one border thereof, the trunnion ends being spaced for being angled into and out of engagement with the slots.

6. In a separable connecter for a belt and the like, a channel member and an insert member separably interengageable with each other, the channel member including a web and opposite side flanges extending angularly from the opposite edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges having formed therein opposite elongated slots which open towards each other, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders with opposite trunnion ends at one border thereof, the trunnion ends being spaced for being angled into and out of engagement with the slots, and a belt end wrapped around the flat shank.

7. In-a separable connector for a belt and the like, a channel member and an insert member separably interengageable with each other, the channel member including a web and opposite side flanges extending angularly from the opposite edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges having formed therein opposite elongated slots which open towards each other, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders with opposite enlarged trunnion ends which are thicker than and which protrude over the faces of the flat shank at one border thereof, the trunnion ends being spaced for being angled into and out of engagement with the slots, and a belt end wrapped around the flat shank and the edges of the belt being engaged by the protruding trunnion ends.

8. In a separable connector for a belt and the like, a channel member and an insert member separa-bly interengageable with each other, the channel member including a web and opposite side flanges extending angularly from the opposite edges of one side face of the web, the side flanges having formed therein opposite slots which open towards each other, one of the slots being circular and the other slot being elongated, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders and trunnions at opposite ends of one of the borders, the trunnionsbeinglaterally offset from the shank and being adapted for being angled into and out of engagement with l being elongated, and the insert member including a flat shank having spaced borders and trunnions at opposite ends of one of the borders, the trunnions being laterally offset from the shank and being adapted for being angled into and out of engagement with the slots.

MANUEL CASTRO. 

